Pinellas LPA recommends approval of FLU amendment for US‑19 site in Clearwater

The Local Planning Agency recommended approval of FLU 26‑02, a future land use map amendment for a roughly 4.82‑acre parcel on the west side of US 19 North in unincorporated Clearwater. Scott Swearingen, the county's long range planning manager, told the agency the request would reclassify about 4.12 acres from Residential‑Office‑Retail to Commercial General while leaving about 0.7 acres in a preservation designation along Curlew Creek. "In conclusion, staff supports the proposed amendments to the future land use map and the associated development agreement," Swearingen said.

Swearingen described the site as 4.82 acres and said the proposed change would permit uses—including storage warehouses—that the current ROR designation does not allow. He told the board the amendment is consistent with the corridor's character and with the comprehensive plan because the change would generally maintain the same permitted uses while allowing the applicant's intended self‑storage use. The hearing produced no public comment and the agency voted by voice to approve the recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners. The Board is scheduled to consider the item on October 27, 2026.